In Southern Philippines, the security sector reform (SSR) story begins from a concrete context of conflict. The SSR is an attempt to re-define the role of soldiers not simply in terms of warriors but also in terms of peace-building as communities emerge from conflict situation.

The journey would never have taken off the ground without the active partnership of two officers and gentlemen of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. They are LtGen. Moh. Benjamin Dolorfino (now retired) and LtGen. Raymundo Ferrer of the Western Mindanao Command

The concept of the security sector reforms is still very young in the history of the AFP. It is inevitable that during the initial discussions, some senior military officers have expressed their reservation on training workshops that include among others the history of Mindanao, the peace process and bridging leadership for officers of the AFP.

The engagement in SSR has become more urgent with the resumption of the peace talks following the debacle of the Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain (MOA-AD) in 2008 and with the Philippine government’s official declaration of the priority of the peace process policy.

The Institute for Autonomy and Governance (IAG), a regional think tank based in Cotabato City, has developed two phases in the Security Sector Reforms. There are four major themes that underpin the SSR training programs. The first theme is a brief study of the history of Mindanao with special focus on the struggles of the two Moro Fronts (MNLF and MILF) and the NDF. This is an attempt to contextualize the emerging role of the AFP as peace-builders in the midst of conflict situation in the Southern Philippines.

The second theme situates the said role within the framework of the basic human rights as enshrined in the Constitution’s Bill of Rights and in the UN Declaration of Human Rights. The module includes also a brief presentation of the International Humanitarian Law. These rights are inalienable and no matter the situation on the ground, the basic rights of people have to be recognized and respected, especially so by the security sector.

The third theme deals on the many and various peace-building attempts and concrete praxis on the ground where the AFP, particularly the Philippine Marines, interface as they shape their new emerging role as peace-builders. The actual module includes also conflict analysis and mediation, particularly in rural areas that involve the participation of local leaders.

The fourth theme shows the need of soldiers’ involvement and active participation in the concrete imperatives in the communities where they are. These are the following: (1) Sustainable Community development; (2) the urgent call for action to become environmental stewards; (3) the need for effective social marketing for peace; and (4) Soldiers as ‘Bridging Leaders’ in the communities they are ‘planted’.

The whole SSR story tells a different message as it shapes a new paradigm for soldiers, particularly in situation of conflicts and post conflict. The classic understanding of the Armed Forces as ‘protectors’ under the narrow the so-called National Security Doctrine is no longer sustainable. The old paradigm may be ‘successful’ in the short term, but both in the medium and long terms, military might does no put an end to conflicts, specifically internal conflicts. The old military operations have always been saddled by accusations of human rights abuse, lack of sensitivity (ethnic and religious), and devoid of any understanding of the deep root causes of conflicts.

No doubt, there is an urgent need for a new paradigm that spells concretely the new emerging roles of soldiers in times of conflict as well as post conflict. The SSR, though often labeled by ‘left activists’ as sophisticated counter-insurgency program, are attempts to re-define the role of the security sectors as protectors of the people and ‘keepers of peace’ in nation building.

Last September 20th, on the eve of the remembrance of the fatal declaration of Martial Law rule in the Philippines 39 years ago, IAG launched the SSR Story and the Training Manual at Camp Aguinaldo’s Officers Club. SND Voltaire Gazmin and the top brass of the AFP and friends from the civil society came together for the occasion to highlight the importance of the security sectors reform as the 4th pillar of President Noynoy Aquino’s peace and security framework in the coming years.

IAG also cited the AUSAID for being generous partner in this important endeavor. AusAid Minister Chancellor, the Honorable Titon Mitra, and other officials from the Australian Embassy honored the occasion not only by their active participation but also with the commitment for continued support.